Blogging on I-20

Sep 2nd, 2010 in Jim's Blog by Jim Denison

bloggin on I-20I am writing this morning as we speed west on I-20 from Dallas to Abilene, where I am delivering the convocation address at Hardin-Simmons University.  Janet is driving, coffee in hand, while I type.  The thought occurs to me that my grandfather would understand none of this.  He was born before the automobile, much less the laptop and wireless card with which I’m writing this blog.

We are living in a time of transformation as significant as the Renaissance or Industrial Revolution.  One in eight who married in the America last year met online.  More text messages will be sent and received today than the planet’s population.  In 25 years, the cell phone attached to my belt will fit in a blood cell.  If MySpace were a country, it would be the fourth-largest nation on earth.

But human nature doesn’t change.  The Bible is still relevant because we still face the same temptations and feel the same fears and cherish the same hopes as Abraham and David and Peter.  We still need God and we still need each other.

Just before signing the Declaration of Independence, Benjamin Franklin warned his fellow delegates, “We must, indeed, all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.”  Standing before the Lincoln Memorial 47 years ago, Martin Luther King, Jr. dreamed of a day when “we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.”  Nelson Mandela told his suffering people, “I dream of the realization of the unity of Africa, whereby its leaders combine in their efforts to solve the problems of this continent.”

The night before he died, Jesus prayed for all who would trust in him “that all of them would be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.  May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:20-21).  When we love each other, the world will know that we are Jesus’ disciples (John 13:35).

Our love for each other is our witness.  That’s a fact my grandfather would understand.

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10 Comments

  • “Self-sufficiency is spiritual suicide”.

    Would you please provide the biblical support for this comment. This is something I have struggled with from youth. Thank you.

    • Carey, thank you for your very honest and relevant question. I have learned over the years that God will not do for us what we try to do for ourselves. He honors the freedom he gave us, even when we use it to trust in ourselves rather than in him. The Scripture which comes to mind first in pointing us to God-reliance rather than self-sufficiency comes from Solomon’s wisdom: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones” (Proverbs. 3:5-7). I think also of Isaiah 55:9: “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts,” and of Paul’s testimony: “God said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Paul’s commitment should be ours: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). I hope these help.

      • Are we not to plan for our well being at all? Do we not work hard at our jobs and save and buy a home and have money for retirement? I understand that I cannot save myself from sin. I must depend on God’s grace for that. I believe that I am able to work and save and prepare for life’s difficulties through God’s grace. Please explain how we are to live if we do not work and save. There would be no money for welfare if no one worked and paid taxes. Yes, I know God can send manna from Heaven and has done it in the past. But, how are we to depend on this? I expect you work at your job and probably have insurance and a pension plan. I would bet the rent you are buying a home. Please explain this. All my life I was told God helps those who help themselves and if I need a helping hand, look at the end of my own arm. This does NOT mean I do not lean on God and accept that I need His help daily.

        • What a great question. If God does everything, what do we do? If we work, however, do we limit God? “God helps those who help themselves” actually comes from Benjamin Franklin, but I understand the sentiment. Paul told the Thessalonians, “If a man will not work, he should not eat” (2 Thes. 3:10). At the same time, we cannot do anything spiritual without the help of the Spirit. I have come to see the divine-human partnership in this way: as I work, God works. As I stay faithful to his word and will, he uses me to do what I cannot do. Years ago, a wise pastor advised me to “Obey the last word you heard from God.” Do what he asks you to do, seeking the power of his Spirit to fulfill his purpose, and trust that he will use your obedience for his glory and your good.

          • Yes, I knew the quote was from Ben Franklin. ;-) I guess I may have the right idea, then. Work, but, work to the glory of God. I try to be a good steward of what God gives me.

  • I have received your essays for several years now and have so enjoyed reading them. I’m commenting today because I have a young woman I mentor who attends Hardin-Simmons University as a freshman. I wanted to share her comments regarding your convocation speech. Her name is Jordan and this is what she tweeted, “Holy Moly the convocation sermon was exactly right on the truth and it was GOOD. amazing.” And this is what she texted me, “AHHH! omg I’m at convocation and this dude is totally on spot. Talking about how there is a huge spiritual awakening happening in the world right now. And that nothing is going on here because we aren’t walking in what we were made for (walking in our destiny) also he talked about KINGDOM ON EARTH!” Obviously Jordan is on an amazing spiritual journey. I have loved watching her “get” God. She is indeed walking boldly into her destiny and she is very concerned about those around her missing out on theirs. She is about to begin the Transformational School of Supernatural Ministry here in Abilene at First United Methodist Church (curriculum out of Bethel Church/Bill Johnson) – in addition to the load she is carrying as a college freshman. If you think of it, please pray for her. She is one who heard you loud and clear. Thank you for speaking truth yesterday.

    • Candy, thank you for your very encouraging note. It is such good news that students like Jordan are passionate about spiritual awakening in our time. Her faith is proof that God is not done with our culture yet. I will pray for her with gratitude.

  • Tina and John Hunter September 3, 2010 at 8:48 am

    My heart began to sing and and my smile broadened as I listened to you at hsu yesterday! I not only observed our fabulous students lean into your words I felt their hunger for more! I sat beside your sweet Janet and now know you enjoy PK almost as much as the Hunter clan! John and I look forward to worshiping with you Sunday morning! I think Janet said 9:30? We don’t have Internet here in Neeleys slough so can’t check the harbor site. God bless you Jim! you inspire us daily! Tina Hunter

  • After reading your Hawking comments I remember a question asked at a BSU bible study years ago. Why do we separate God from the universe? Could not the univese be part of a larger existence we are not aware of? Then, the idea of creator/created goes away.
    Recent science has discovered new events in nature that were unheard of a century ago. We still don’t know what may be around the corner so Hawking should refrain from setting himself as judge of the highest matters. (Paraphrased from Plato)
    R. Allor

 

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